And so yes, this is my experience. It's totally fine for those users.
It's quite saddening that this thread takes turns in labelling people idiots or lazy or ignorant because their motivations and capabilities are different.
-
Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!
Why is PC gaming still considered difficult with too much tinkering?
- Thread starter Fess
- Start date
And so yes, this is my experience. It's totally fine for those users.
It's quite saddening that this thread takes turns in labelling people idiots or lazy or ignorant because their motivations and capabilities are different.
GhostTrick
Banned
Because it requires you to invest yourself the first few times. PC gaming is tedious for someone who havent touched it and isnt ready to spend their first 5 hours tinkering around it. But once you do, it's, IMO, the most user friendly platform.
There's also the wrong idea that a bad port means performing worse than console, which is false in 99% of the cases.
There's also the wrong idea that a bad port means performing worse than console, which is false in 99% of the cases.
I'm sure we all have anedotes about how we struggle. I don't have Prey, but it is on my radar and I've been checking in on the "where are my textures" issue that is in the thread.
I mean it is all totally distinct. I managed to have FFXIII run absolutely fine by doing a fresh boot before playing. Other users have a shit old time. You get the poor sole who goes into a thread who can't get it running where everyone else is having a riot. No hard and fast rule on this one.
RowdyReverb
Member
The people who complain about resolution or visuals on console games, the ones who read Digital Foundry articles, are making the mistake of looking behind the curtain and realizing the corners that are cut to maintain performance. I've grown to believe that it's better to just not know that textures and shadows and lighting don't look as good as they could, because in all honesty it all looks fine regardless of what you're playing on.
When you play on PC, you have to know what sacrifices you've made in which areas, and you'll always know when you're playing that you're looking at a lower quality image than you could be looking at if you'd spent a little more money on hardware
MilkyJoe
Member
That's not what he/she is saying at all. And let's be honest, there is a lot of moaning about xbox ports.
Because either they don't give a fuck and use it as a cop out or they mostly don't understand it.
It's just as much a question/support thread as it is a report X frames/whatever at X settings and people sharing their setup and performance as a reference for others with similar setups looking for information at a potential purchase.
Not that either console is free from this. Nintendo and Sony especially seem to have a thread every now and then either about faulty hardware or account issues and license problems. Xbox probably got those too but I see them less frequent that their competitor.
I still find it hilarious that as a nexus of hardcore gamers my uber casual friends who play mobas and whatever else they want have an easier time using a PC than some people here.
Custom picked spec builds and assembled by a company is more and more common and you just press the power button and you go.
As with everything problems may occur but at least you have options available to solve said issues without having to send it in to whoever and whatnot if anything should happen outside warranty you done fucked lalalalala.
Revolutionary
Member
Because windows is unreliable garbage. You never know when something will inexplicably stop working. Hell, the recent major update for W10 apparently fucked things up for a lot a people.
I love my gaming PC but when Windows acts up, it's very frustrating. Sometimes you just want to play the damn game.
I love my gaming PC but when Windows acts up, it's very frustrating. Sometimes you just want to play the damn game.
Abilidebob
Member
Absolutely. No release(and that includes, to a lesser extent obviously, console releases) is 100% free of problems. Some are more fucked up, some are mostly fine. But the thing is I've seen again and again and again in these threads the argument that the mere existence of a "performance thread" for the majority of big PC releases means that those releases/ports are bad. Something like the concept of "there's no PS4/X1 performance thread, that means those releases are problem-free!". Which is ludicrous, of course. An Arkham Knight performance thread at release is a different beast than a, I don't know, BF1 performance thread.
And consoles don't get fucked up updates? really? I can remember quite a few times consoles got fucked up system or game updates too.
The Greek Freak
Member
As someone who has a gaming PC that EASILY blows my ps4 out of the water graphics wise but still plays multi plats on PS4.
Putting the computer together isn't the tinkering I hate.
It's tinkering with fucking settings.
When I'm on PC and have 30 settings to fuck with I will waste half of my gaming time trying to get shit right.
When I'm on Ps4 it either runs well enough for me to enjoy it, or it runs like shit. Either way I know in a few minutes.
It is 100% a problem of my own making, and I've tried stuff that does it automatically, but nothing has done it well enough to stop me from wasting so much time doing shit I fucking HATE doing.
Edit: This combined with not being able to relax gaming at my desk (tv is on the opposite side of the house) mean I basically only play RTS/Mobas/weird awesome shit (like mount and blade that either never comes to consoles or comes later without mod support etc) on my PC.
It's the same reason why I detest these half step consoles with settings options. It's the fucking worst of PC and console jammed together.
Putting the computer together isn't the tinkering I hate.
It's tinkering with fucking settings.
When I'm on PC and have 30 settings to fuck with I will waste half of my gaming time trying to get shit right.
When I'm on Ps4 it either runs well enough for me to enjoy it, or it runs like shit. Either way I know in a few minutes.
It is 100% a problem of my own making, and I've tried stuff that does it automatically, but nothing has done it well enough to stop me from wasting so much time doing shit I fucking HATE doing.
Edit: This combined with not being able to relax gaming at my desk (tv is on the opposite side of the house) mean I basically only play RTS/Mobas/weird awesome shit (like mount and blade that either never comes to consoles or comes later without mod support etc) on my PC.
It's the same reason why I detest these half step consoles with settings options. It's the fucking worst of PC and console jammed together.
Mr.Deadshot
Member
Because it still is. It's nowhere near as difficult like in the 90s where there was no internet.
But it still needs way more knowlege and patience than console- or mobile-gaming when things go wrong.
But it still needs way more knowlege and patience than console- or mobile-gaming when things go wrong.
BasilZero
Member
Not to mention you don't have to update windows and can wait and see what those who do report and still play games online just like before.
I stand.
Maybe I've just been extremely lucky, but I haven't had any issues with Win 10 that hasn't been extremely minimal and never a problem warrants a restart. I do turn off my computer after every use though, so very rarely am I playing a game for extended amounts of time without a fresh boot. I should also mention I've only been using a PC for about 3 months since I built one. But yeah, it's been super simple to use and problem free... so far.
I had a lot more problems that has forced me to restart my Xbox One than I have with my PC in a 3 month (or more) period. But I am in the preview program so I'm usually using the newest unstable OS version.
The benefits of a PC are marginal though, and I use it like it was a console outside of Battlegrounds. I don't see myself going back to console too often outside of Nintendo shit.
It's quite simple OP. I'm in my 30's. Work is crazy. Pursuing an EMBA. I have very little time to play. When I do, I just want to sit down in front of the TV, pick my controller, press a button and start playing. PC gaming might have become more accessible, but my Vita and PS4 simply offer mindless and painless instant gratification.
I think it's all perception.
Like you can if you want go in and tinker about with a prebuilt pc. You can add stuff, remove it or whatever.
With a console that's that really. You can't go in and start swapping out parts.
So some people take the view of "oh it can be tinkered that means I'll have to tinker it".
Like you can if you want go in and tinker about with a prebuilt pc. You can add stuff, remove it or whatever.
With a console that's that really. You can't go in and start swapping out parts.
So some people take the view of "oh it can be tinkered that means I'll have to tinker it".
So the pro is too much for you?
Revolutionary
Member
Where did I say that, exactly? I never said consoles were flawless, but it's funny thats how you interpreted it.
That said, Windows is exponentially worse at inexplicable errors. Literally every single major W10 update has carried some issues with it for a large number of users, to the point where a reformat is recommended after each update. It's ridiculous.
When a Ps4 gets an inexplicable error it's usually resolved by a simple database rebuild. When a PC game shuts down on start up I have to double check the redistributables to make sure they installed correctly, double check video drivers, verify integrity, uninstall incompatible software, all while rebooting in between each step.
So yeah, again, sometimes people just want to pop in a disc and play what they paid for. Windows often makes that more difficult than necessary - it's not hard to understand why many prefer consoles to PC.
I'm in a similar boat with work and free time, and I like to play games on the couch while relaxing. During the week I can only play around 20-45 minutes on any given day, and the weekends can be the same depending on what plans I'll have with the girl, etc. Hell, the only reason I built a computer originally wasn't even for games (although after the planning phase I started aiming toward gaming friendly components with the help of GAF), but because I've always just wanted to. Always thought it would it be neat to have something you personalized sitting on your desk with some really cool tech inside of it. And I've always looked at ever playing a game on a PC as more of a hassle, but It didn't take long before I started seeing the crazy benefits. And the benefits are fucking nice.
Either way, if you're happy with how you do it now then there's no reason to change it. Just don't be intimidated by the idea like I was for so long, or else I would have done this a long, long time ago.
JORMBO
Darkness no more
I bought a Dell PC 5 years ago. All I've done with it is swap out the video card and put in a 970. No trouble at all.
It doesn't max out newer games or anything, but I can run most stuff on high settings. I don't tinker with anything. Once every few months I remember to download and install newer drivers.
I will proabably get a new PC in a few years. I feel this one has a bit of life in it stil.
It doesn't max out newer games or anything, but I can run most stuff on high settings. I don't tinker with anything. Once every few months I remember to download and install newer drivers.
I will proabably get a new PC in a few years. I feel this one has a bit of life in it stil.
Krisprolls
Banned
I love those threads where nerds from around the world assemble to tell us how their PC is so easy to use.
I'm 42, I work in computing, and even I acknowledge my console is a lot easier to use than my PC. Press button, play.
On PC you're constantly fighting with the OS, fighting with the drivers, fighting with the settings and so on.
And no in the end it doesn't even always look better (when it even runs, see Batman or tons of other shitty PC ports). My 400 PS4 Pro plays games in 4k / 30 fps, which my Geforce 1200 1070 PC can't even do. Games like Horizon look better on PS4 Pro than anything on my 1070 PC.
And that's without thinking about cheaters / hacks on PC, or the impossibility of playing multiplayer games with a pad vs mouse players on a fair level (obviously).
So unless you're a nerd and likes constantly solving settings / drivers / OS issues, don't believe the nerds. Going console is perfectly fine. I know, I have both and I play mostly on consoles.
I'm 42, I work in computing, and even I acknowledge my console is a lot easier to use than my PC. Press button, play.
On PC you're constantly fighting with the OS, fighting with the drivers, fighting with the settings and so on.
And no in the end it doesn't even always look better (when it even runs, see Batman or tons of other shitty PC ports). My 400 PS4 Pro plays games in 4k / 30 fps, which my Geforce 1200 1070 PC can't even do. Games like Horizon look better on PS4 Pro than anything on my 1070 PC.
And that's without thinking about cheaters / hacks on PC, or the impossibility of playing multiplayer games with a pad vs mouse players on a fair level (obviously).
So unless you're a nerd and likes constantly solving settings / drivers / OS issues, don't believe the nerds. Going console is perfectly fine. I know, I have both and I play mostly on consoles.
You're​ 42? The way you use insults you coulda fooled me.
PC gaming is better than it has ever been, but I still don't know if I'd call it "easy." Especially with janky launches.
Console games have certainly hurt their use case by having day 1 patches and the like, however. Even Nintendo games seem subject to it now. The line grows ever more blurry.
Console games have certainly hurt their use case by having day 1 patches and the like, however. Even Nintendo games seem subject to it now. The line grows ever more blurry.
Fess
Member
5 hours? I just had to plug in the power cords and display cord and boot it up, Windows was preinstalled, I downloaded Steam and bought some games and then just started playing. For me it was pretty much like buying a new console.
The biggest hurdle for me was adapting to keyboard and mouse controls. Still have trouble with that tbh, 4 years later I still have to look down on the keyboard to hit some keys.
Keyboard + mouse controls and the initial cost has been my hurdles these 4 years.
About the drivers installs and patches etc that gets mentioned as a hurdle. When NMS was troublesome for lots of people and I had zero issues I checked my display drivers and found out that they were like a year old. I'm still on the same drivers... So that shows the time I spend on tinkering. If it already works, why fiddling with it?
Can't tell if serious with how nerd is used.
LukasTaves
Member
How is it that you have to use a 3rd party application, detached from your in game friends list, which wouldn't be the same as the steam friends list btw since it's a bnet game, factually better than what you have in console?
This is the perfect example of why even when everything is right pc gaming is just more complicated than playing on consoles.
Yup discord is so complex to use.
This reply takes the cake to be honest. Deserves a tag, something nerd-related.
This is if you dont get any nat issues and you can actually connect to voice chat on your paid online service :S
Same here too. PC falls into the realm of "things I want to give a bit of effort to" and I don't see myself shifting away from that as a primary platform (although the Switch...).
I love the benefits. Nothing like having a bit of a generational shift in graphics card and being able to go back and slap Deus Ex HR on or something. Or, hell, I'm hoping to get a Surface Pro at some point and having my catalogue across on that is pretty awesome in principle.
I think if you're inclined, you're going to get loads out of it. My big one is making Mass Effect 1 look lovely with the texture mod (which has been made really easy to install nowadays compared to the horrible way you used to have to do it), plus modding it to ditch KB&M in favour of controller.
I've got it to the stage where I don't have to fart about. Not to say that I haven't had problems. Had a rare evening patch of game time where I spent the entire time mashing my head against Elite Dangerous, which had decided to ignore my controller in game. Absolutely sucks when you see your one rare window of free time lost to being in menus or rebooting or going through community threads, patching stuff to no avail.
As I say, I'm fine with it, wouldn't want to wish it on anyone who just wants to get up and running. I don't have such a blocker in my mind. Never had disdain for the platform from a purely console perspective. Don't have one going the other way either.
GhostTrick
Banned
5 hours? I just had to plug in the power cords and display cord and boot it up, Windows was preinstalled, I downloaded Steam and bought some games and then just started playing. For me it was pretty much like buying a new console.
The biggest hurdle for me was adapting to keyboard and mouse controls. Still have trouble with that tbh, 4 years later I still have to look down on the keyboard to hit some keys.
Keyboard + mouse controls and the initial cost has been my hurdles these 4 years.
About the drivers installs and patches etc that gets mentioned as a hurdle. When NMS was troublesome for lots of people and I had zero issues I checked my display drivers and found out that they were like a year old. I'm still on the same drivers... So that shows the time I spend on tinkering. If it already works, why fiddling with it?
I meant 5 hours counting installing all my stuff. Keep in mind I installed various stuff to basically be able to use my PC as a desktop or a gaming console.
Spacecowboy77
Member
Because console gamers are used to what the know and feel comfortable with
Really most people game on PC anyway because it's convenient and often times, not an extra purchase you need to make.
Hell, you don't even need a top of the line computer.
All and all: Because console gamers are simple.
Really most people game on PC anyway because it's convenient and often times, not an extra purchase you need to make.
Hell, you don't even need a top of the line computer.
All and all: Because console gamers are simple.
LukasTaves
Member
The simple existence of the performance threads is an example of why pc gaming isn't as straightforward as consoles. Not that it's a bad thing, but on console you have to accept the vision the developer had about the best compromise for performance vs visuals, while on pc you have more options, but also more hassle.
And still many games doesn't come with auto setup or dynamic settings, though the latter might start becoming more of a thing with Ms push to develop for Xbox and pc at the same time.
Abilidebob
Member
I mean, you can connect Discord with your Battle.net account, so...
For the bolded, not really? It just means that there are more options, more freedom in doing whatever you want to the game, and if you want you can tinker with it. Or you can as easily just never go into a thread like that and play the game normally, as quite a few games have auto-settings, or you can use Geforce experience to choose for you.
Geforce experience does automatic settings.
Yeah I find it very complex with the "import friends" with things like steam. Very difficult.
Distresssss
Member
Meh I'm very good at diagnosing and fixing any issues I have in minutes. Then again my pc is pretty configured to me and I know all that goes on in it.
Keeping and maintaining a gaming PC is pretty easy and my used to be console only friends rarely have problems and if they do I take care of them rather quickly.
Its easy and not to mention great for learning.
The last 3 arguments on "pc hassle" have been refuted with information.
Discord external app => account sync
Unoptimized games out of the box => 3rd party soft that does that automatically on detect if user wants
4k/30fps on 1070 => raw ignorance
This is the case on regular basis, at the end there's much more user ignorance than PC hassle. The proof are questions to problems solved a few years ago.
You people can't be real lol.
Discord external app => account sync
Unoptimized games out of the box => 3rd party soft that does that automatically on detect if user wants
4k/30fps on 1070 => raw ignorance
This is the case on regular basis, at the end there's much more user ignorance than PC hassle. The proof are questions to problems solved a few years ago.
You people can't be real lol.
GhostTrick
Banned
42 ? I guess there's no age to act like an immature troll and disrespect people who don't share your opinion. You sound like a really pleasant person :"")
To answer on your "arguments":
On consoles, you also constantly fight with the OS because of updates, lacking features or simply problems.
You also fight with updates, which may screw up your games.
So no, it's been a long time since a console has been "plug and play" "press and play".
LukasTaves
Member
It's not about complexity, it's about not being as straightforward as a system wide friend list and chat system, which gets improved on with features like integrated looking for groups and such.
I mean, if I want to play overwatch with some friends on a console all I literally have to do is press the Xbox button, then up to go to the friends list and from there I can join or invite them with party chat all taken care of.
This is increasingly not as seamless on pc as you game from different vendors. For instance overwatch having different friendlists than steam, or use different applications to make for what the consoles have unified.
HashtagLapsed
Member
So much of those threads are people trying to min max for performance and not necessarily struggling with game breaking issues. This is an entirely optional thing to take part in. Another thing that contributes to those threads is people with higher standards than most wanting the game to perform better.
Honestly, the vast, vast majority of time you just install a game on steam and play it without having to do anything.
I've had my gaming PC for 5 years as well, and all i've done was add ram and a new graphic card. It's hooked up to my television. I've a steam controller and an 360 controller. Wireless kb/m as well. I sit down hit space bar to wake up the comp, and open the client/game i want to play. I don't even have to worry about a disc. I also have full access to my backlog, regardless of how long ago it came out.
I console game as well, so i'm not biased at all, but there isn't much difference between the two if you have them hooked up to the same monitor/tv. I actually bought this pc to be an entertainment box for my living room, because I knew I'd never invest in cable.
I feel like the people who have problems with gaming on pc pretty much tinkers so much that errors occur. I have a gaming laptop as well, that's a bit too old (2013), but it'll play my indies, LoL and Hots no problem, so i'm fine anyway.
to be fair bnet has it's own chat client as well. and i would consider discord something akin to party chat on consoles.
I console game as well, so i'm not biased at all, but there isn't much difference between the two if you have them hooked up to the same monitor/tv. I actually bought this pc to be an entertainment box for my living room, because I knew I'd never invest in cable.
I feel like the people who have problems with gaming on pc pretty much tinkers so much that errors occur. I have a gaming laptop as well, that's a bit too old (2013), but it'll play my indies, LoL and Hots no problem, so i'm fine anyway.
to be fair bnet has it's own chat client as well. and i would consider discord something akin to party chat on consoles.